Retreat Companion

RetreatCompanion

Carol R. Younger, Ed. D.

2015

Copyright © 2012 Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. All rights reserved.

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Blessed Mother TeresaWEEK THREE

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2012 Marian Fathers of the Im

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onception of the B.V.M. All rights reserved.

Prayer for Week Three — Memorare

While the Memorare is often attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), Confessor,Abbot, and Doctor of the Church, it was popularized by another Bernard: Fr. ClaudeBernard of France (1588-1641). Father Claude, known as the “Poor Priest,” employed theMemorare extensively in his evangelization efforts. Many a condemned criminal was recon-ciled to God before death through his help and this prayer. He had hundreds of thousandsof leaflets of the Memorare printed in various languages to distribute (long before modernprinting technology!). Saint Francis de Sales, some twenty-one years older than Fr. Claude,also loved and frequently prayed the Memorare, as did many saints that came after him.

Blessed Mother Teresa prayed this prayer with great confidence in Mary’s powerfulintercession, and she was never let down: “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, thatnever was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or soughtthy intercession, was left unaided.” Of course, Mary doesn’t always help us exactly in theway we expect, but she always comes to our aid when we call upon her. This week, as wepray the Memorare prayer, let’s bring to Mary all of our needs and trust in her powerfulintercession just like so many saints did.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone whofled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do Icome, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despisenot my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

72WEEK THREE: Blessed Mother Teresa

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Day 15Lover of the Heart of Jesus

[Each day this week, you will (1) read the appropriate day from 33 Days to Morning Glory, (2) pray the Memorare, and(3) prayerfully answer the four corresponding questions in this Retreat Companion.]

1. What details of Mother Teresa’s spiritual growth and development stand out to you andintrigue you? Why? Her First Holy Communion at five years old? Her burning thirst forsouls revealed to her at such an early age by Christ? Wanting to be a missionary? Heracceptance of “terrible darkness” out of love for Jesus?

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2. Mother Teresa’s generosity eventually prompted her to promise Jesus that she wouldrefuse him nothing. In a sense, the Marian consecration that you’re preparing for is similarto Mother Teresa’s promise. Everything of yours will belong to Mary who loves you andbrings you closer to the pierced Heart of Christ. Will you refuse her nothing? Recall thatMary is not outdone in generosity. What does the Lord or his Mother say to you in prayerabout this?

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73 33 DAYS TO MORNING GLORY – RETREAT COMPANION


3. Mother Teresa experienced “terrible darkness” and loneliness after saying “yes” to Jesus.She eventually discerned it to be a sharing in Jesus’ suffering and thirst on the Cross.Participating in the suffering of Jesus’ Passion and Death is a common theme amongmany saints’ writings. What about this is attractive to you? What about it is difficult oreven frightening for you?9

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4. Mother Teresa says, “[S]uffering has to come that came in the life of Our Lady, that camein the life of Jesus — it has to come in our life also. … Suffering is a gift from God. It isbetween you and Jesus alone inside.” Try to explain your understanding of this as aCatholic Christian.

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Closing Prayer:Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary.

Help me to find the love of the Heart of Jesus hidden in the darkness.


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Day 16‘The Gift God Gave September 10th’

1. Mother Teresa says that we can’t last even one day without hearing Jesus speak to us ofhis love for us. Otherwise, she says, prayer is dead and meditation “only thinking.” Whatkind of prayer is your prayer? Do you set aside time for prayer or do you pray throughoutthe day? Do you include some time to listen or to just sit quietly with Jesus? Is quiet help-ful for you or do you just get fidgety? (See also CCC, Part Four, “Section One: Prayer inThe Christian Life,” nn. 2558-2758.)

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2. Be careful of things that block contact with Jesus, Mother Teresa warns. What are thethings that block you? Make a list of the interior things (worries, life’s past hurts, pastmistakes, or even forgiven sins) and the exterior things (grocery lists, errands, appoint-ments, daily responsibilities — phone conversations!) that interfere with daily one-to-onecontact with the One who loves and longs for you eternally.

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3. What is it about you personally that Jesus thirsts for? Mother Teresa insists that this iscrucial to know Jesus’ will for you and what he wants to be for you. After you muse onthis for a few moments, record some thoughts:

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4. “Whenever we come close to Him — we become partners of Our Lady, St. John,Magdalen. Hear Him. Hear your own name,” Mother Teresa tells us. What does yourname sound like when someone you love says it? What did Magdalen’s name sound likewhen Jesus said it in the garden by the empty tomb? What does your name sound likewhen Jesus says it?

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Help me to listen to Jesus’ thirst.


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Day 17The Visions of 1947

1. Reread Mother Teresa’s three visions (pages 73-74 in 33 Days to Morning Glory). Payattention to Mary’s appearance and actions in the visions. With Mary’s help, what doesTeresa see? What does she hear? How does Mary comfort her? How does she supporther? Is there significance to Mary holding Teresa’s right arm?

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2. Why does Mary say, “Fear not” to Mother Teresa? Would this simple two-word sentencebe comforting to you, coming from Mary? Why or why not? What could she say to youto allay your fears?

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3. Mary says the crowd that Mother Teresa sees belongs to her, “They are mine. Bringthem to Jesus.” What does this tell us about Mary’s view of us? What does it tell usabout how Mary sees what “belongs” to her? Does this change how you look at whatbelongs to you or what you do with your belongings?

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4. John and Magdalen follow Jesus to Calvary out of personal love for the Savior. However,also motivating them is their love for his Mother, who is suffering as well, though muchmore than they. It is Mary who is by far the strongest of the three. What are her strengths,interiorly and exteriorly, mentally and spiritually?

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Bring me face to face with the love in the Heart of Jesus crucified.


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Day 18The Immaculate Heart of Mary

1. Exchanging hearts with Mary, even for a few moments, would have huge consequencesin our lives. Were we to see and feel with Mary’s own depth of love of God, we wouldnot forget it. What gifts from such an exchange would you desire? Compassion for othersas she experiences it? Love of the Divine Savior as wholehearted as hers? Depth of prayerand mercy as she lives it? Something else? What are the reasons for your choices, as youunderstand them?

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2. When we ask for Mary to lend us her Heart, we’re asking to share in her own inner life.The human heart represents the spiritual reality of inner life and the dwelling place of theHoly Spirit’s grace and love. This preparation for consecration includes a focus on yourinner life and relationship of love with the Holy Spirit. What is your relationship with theHoly Spirit like now, and how will Mary’s Heart confirm and strengthen this relationship?

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3. Jesus chooses to come through Mary into history and to all humanity; he chooses tocome to you through Mary. Mary was with the Apostles in the Upper Room when theHoly Spirit descended on the first Pentecost. The Holy Spirit also comes to us throughMary.10 His graces set us afire for his mission in the world. What does it mean to haveour hearts “afire”? How do you feel about having your heart aflame with the love ofGod, with the love of the Blessed Virgin? How will it change your conversations withothers and your actions?

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4. Praying to Mary with Mother Teresa’s words, “Keep me in your most pure heart,” focusesyou on being set apart for love through Mary. Your mission becomes loving with Mary’sHeart, being set apart for her, for pleasing Jesus through her. What obstacles do youperceive in your inner life that would prevent you from earnestly praying for this? Howdo you think Mary will overcome these obstacles for you?

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Keep me in her most pure and Immaculate Heart.


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Day 19Heart-Pondering Prayer

1. Are you practicing the daily examen (found in endnote n. 73 on pages 187-189 of 33Days to Morning Glory)? Are you dwelling on daily blessings instead of daily annoyances,daily opportunities instead of daily difficulties? What do you perceive as interferences withthe regular practice of the daily examen in your life? How can you incorporate it into yourbedtime regimen?

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2. An examen is basically a list. We make lists all the time: grocery, errands, Christmas andbirthday gift lists, books to read, appointments to keep. Make a new list right now: lifeblessings you live with each day, prayers answered recently, family and friends praying foryou, and other instances that have brought God’s grace and direction to you.

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3. The retreat asks you to develop both a spiritual sensitivity and an attitude of gratitude.In doing so, you will begin to imitate Mary and her pondering Heart. God is in allthings, in all your life’s happenings, all your prayers, all your relationships. List a fewevents, relationships, and situations where you may not have been sensitive to or gratefulfor God’s presence. Practice the pondering of Mary and find God there now.

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4. What’s the difference between a “laundry list of sins” and the examen? Do you thinkMary made lists? You might think of the Rosary as a list: Mary’s memories and sacredmoments she wants us to look at as if in a photo album. What pictures of you, your spouseor children, or your friends might you want to put in a spiritual album to remember andpray over? (For example: the First Holy Communion of a first child.)

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Help me to recognize and ponder in my heart all the good you do for me.


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Day 20A Consecration Covenant

1. The seriousness of the consecration is compared, indeed almost equated with, the idea ofcovenant. Giving your word is giving yourself, in Mother Teresa’s explanation. Covenant,in biblical terms, makes you a member of the person’s family relationships. Imagine your-self living with Mary in Nazareth. What would you talk about? How would you relate toJesus, her Son? What would change in your behavior, your demeanor? How would yourthoughts change?

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2. Looking at the chart on page 114 in 33 Days to Morning Glory, choose two of Mary’sduties to you that you consider most important, ones that you believe will make yousecure in her care and bring you to high holiness. Explain what these two duties mean toyou and what they entail in so far as your daily life is concerned. What are you expectingMary to do, exactly?

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3. Choose two of your duties to Mary; ones that are significant to you or that you believewill really challenge you (or help you) to remain focused on the glory of her Son alone.What is the challenge (or help) that is embedded in those duties?

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4. The Missionaries of Charity Consecration Covenant prayer (on page 80 of 33 Days toMorning Glory) speaks of the ardent desire to live in close union with Mary, with the goalof union with Jesus. How does reading this prayer intensify the coming moment ofconsecration for you? Does it bring to you a deepening sense of the generosity involvedin consecration? What does it mean to you?

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Help me to ardently make a Covenant of Consecration with Mary.


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Day 21‘Be the One’ (with Mary)

1. Mother Teresa urges you to “be the one” to console Jesus who thirsts for the love of thesouls he so desires to save. Mary is the one who best understands this thirst and the needto comfort Jesus. Ask Mary, Mother Teresa says, to help you understand. What mightMary say to you to help you better understand Jesus’ thirst?

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2. Mary is the best consoler of Jesus because she is the spouse of the Holy Spirit, who is alsocalled “the Consoler” and “the Comforter” (Jn 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). What do thesetitles of the Holy Spirit tell us about God’s relationship with us? What do they tell usabout Mary’s relationship to Jesus and to each of us — about her relationship to you?

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3. Jesus speaks in the Gospel of his longing to gather Jerusalem (Israel) as a hen gathersher chicks under her wings — for comfort, but they wouldn’t accept it (see Luke 13:34).What is so important about consolation that God the Holy Spirit names himself theConsoler or Comforter? Whom do you console in your personal relationships? Howdo you do it? Do any of those you seek to console refuse you; if so, how does it makeyou feel?

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4. Mother Teresa describes the greatest evil as “lack of love and charity.” She and theMissionaries of Charity put love of Jesus and of others first. Ask yourself: (a) Amongyour personal acquaintances, who needs your love to avoid loneliness? (b) Who arethose nearest to you who need your love expressed to them? (c) How often do youexpress your love of Jesus directly to him?

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Help me to “be the one” to console Jesus with Mary.


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WEEK THREE: Summary

Mother Teresa’s three trademark virtues are “total surrender to God, loving trust, andperfect cheerfulness.” Not just surrender but total surrender, not just trust but loving trust,not just cheerfulness but perfect cheerfulness. We are told this is simple: Just be like a child.What do each of these virtues mean to you personally?

1. total surrender

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2. loving trust

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3. perfect cheerfulness

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SMALL-GROUP SESSION OUTLINE

~ Blessed Mother Teresa ~

A. Prayer

1. + Memorare2. Come, Holy Spirit, and be with us. We wish to contemplate the mysteries of Jesus and Mary

in our lives as we prepare for consecration to Jesus through Mary. Amen. +

B. Personal Response

[Selections from the Pondering, Prayerful Response of Week 3. The following questions are only suggestions. Do not feelas though you have to answer every question during the small group discussion time.]

1. Mother Teresa experienced “terrible darkness” and loneliness after saying “yes” to Jesus.She eventually discerned it to be a sharing in Jesus’ suffering and thirst on the Cross. Par-ticipating in the suffering of Jesus’ Passion and Death is a common theme among manysaints’ writings. What about this is attractive to you? What about it is difficult or evenfrightening for you?

2. Be careful of things that block contact with Jesus, Mother Teresa warns. What are thethings that block you? Make a list of the interior things (worries, life’s past hurts, pastmistakes, or even forgiven sins) and the exterior things (grocery lists, errands, appoint-ments, daily responsibilities — phone conversations!) that interfere with daily one-to-onecontact with the One who loves and longs for you eternally.

3. Reread Mother Teresa’s three visions (pages 73-74 in 33 Days to Morning Glory). Payattention to Mary’s appearance and actions in the visions. With Mary’s help, what doesTeresa see? What does she hear? How does Mary comfort her? How does she supporther? Is there significance to Mary holding Teresa’s right arm?

4. Praying to Mary with Mother Teresa’s words, “Keep me in your most pure heart,” focusesyou on being set apart for love through Mary. Your mission becomes loving with Mary’sHeart, being set apart for her, for pleasing Jesus through her. What obstacles do you per-ceive in your inner life that would prevent you from earnestly praying for this? How doyou think Mary will overcome these obstacles for you?

5. Are you practicing the daily examen (found in endnote n. 73 on pages 187-189 of 33Days to Morning Glory)? Are you dwelling on daily blessings instead of daily annoyances,daily opportunities instead of daily difficulties? What do you perceive as interferences withthe regular practice of the daily examen in your life? How can you incorporate it into yourbedtime regimen?

6. The seriousness of the consecration is compared, indeed almost equated with, the idea ofcovenant. Giving your word is giving yourself, in Mother Teresa’s explanation. Covenant,


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in biblical terms, makes you a member of the person’s family relationships. Imagine your-self living with Mary in Nazareth. What would you talk about? How would you relate toJesus, her Son? What would change in your behavior, your demeanor? How would yourthoughts change?

7. Mary is the best consoler of Jesus because she is the spouse of the Holy Spirit, who is alsocalled “the Consoler” and “the Comforter” (Jn 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). What do thesetitles of the Holy Spirit tell us about God’s relationship with us? What do they tell usabout Mary’s relationship to Jesus and to each of us — about her relationship to you?

Generous Additional Response (if there’s time):Which of the seven days or pondering, prayerful responses most interested you, mostinspired your prayer, or moved you to meditation?

C. Petition

[Leader] + Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary…[Group response] Help me to find the love of the Heart of Jesus hidden inthe darkness.

Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary…Help me to listen to Jesus’ thirst.

Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary…Bring me face to face with the love in the Heart of Jesus crucified.

Blessed Mother Mary, lend me your Heart; And keep me in your Immaculate Heart.

Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary…Help me to recognize and ponder in my heart all the good you do for me.

Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary…Help me to ardently make a Covenant with Consecration to Mary.

Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary…Help me to “be the one” to console Jesus with Mary.

Individual petitions… Response: Come, Holy Spirit, and help me. +



SESSION 4 — DVD NOTES Blessed Mother Teresa

A. “I Thirst” Letter

1. Key to Prayer

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2. Face to Face with the Love of Jesus Crucified

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3. Divine Mercy

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B. Intimacy with Mary

Listen to Jesus’ Thirst and Respond

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